Karuppusamy is the kaaval deivam of Sabarimalai, along with Vavar, they both gaurd the pathinettampadi.
The role of Karuppusamy in Kerala, is of a kavalkaran(deivam), or protector, where he guards the village from leopards and tigers, and evil doers(*Note the aruvaal and the spear he holds). In Kerala he is believed to evolve from the Malamel Veedu in Chenganoor and he got his role as a kaval deivam because of his devotion to Sabarimalai Ayyappan.
Karuppusamy as the protector, is most often seen as "Sangili Karuppan", because of the chains on his body. Moreover, he is a village/folk deity.